the best way to extend my wireless coverage for somebody on a limited budget

[paulcarrm9mx]

hi what is the best way to extend my wireless only coverage for somebody on a limited budget!

i have the sky modem (white v1 firmware upgraded) fitted with a 9db antenna but when i sit one floor down from my router i only get low to good coverage which is not very good for watching something like the bbc iplayer. could some body suggest something for somebody on a low budget. i have tryed the network extenders that plug into the wall and transmit via the electrical wiring no good at all.

update
i have tryed all the channels from 1 to 13 same result

[fihart]

The mains wiring network systems seem to work well for some people but are expensive.

First try raising the router above furniture level. Another dodge is to put router and computer by windows on the same side of the building as wireless travels better thru air than plaster.


You can connect an old wireless router (a few quid at car boot sale) to your Sky unit by ethernet cable to increase wireless range. You have to set a fixed IP address in the second router (to avoid clash with Sky unit) and I think you have to turn off DHCP (?) in it and a use different wireless channel as well.

[skycaptain]

i have a USB wireless adapter thats situated in what seems to be a dead spot. i get intermittent connections which are sometimes fixed by re-entering the details or repairing the connection sometimes even using a different USB port fixes the problem. at other times theres no connection at all.

without having to spend on a repeater or range extender is it possible to use a generic USB cable extension long enough so that i could place the adapter outside the deadspot area? would using an extension cause signal degredation?

at the moment my signal seems to be affected by walls, doors and a flight of stairs.

[fihart]

Most USB cables are pretty short and I suspect there's a good reason for that, but perhaps someone has some firm knowledge. I doubt if one twice the usual length would cause problems, but longer ?

An alternative is to add a second wireless access point (you might call it a repeater) linked to the router by a long ethernet cable. You can use a wireless router as an access point (they can be picked up secondhand for a few quid at car boot sales) though you have to change the default IP address to avoid clashing with the Sky router and I think you have to turn off DHCP in the second router. There's guidance on this on the Netgear site. Wireless router as access point/switch - NETGEAR Forums

[Isitme]

@skycaptain
It may seem silly but if you are situated below the router, try moving the aerial down to a horizontal position. The reason for this is the the 'waves' come out in a doughnut shape and you will know, you get a better bite out of a doughnut from the side than from the bottom.

[skycaptain]

i'm just thinking may be i should use ethernet homeplugs instead at least that would eliminate the deadspot problem and other connectivity issues with wireless.

[Isitme]

^^^^^
That is recommended. There have been reports of homeplugs not working too well in circuits with more than one ring main, so if you have a large house it is worth checking that your wiring will comply. In saying that one reviewer HERE says that they work OK on different rings, so these ones might be worth considering.

[skycaptain]

homeplug it is then. no more acquiring network probs just hope it will work with a sky router and across 2 floors.